We are back to mushroom-growing weather after a few days of
sun. Luckily, one of those days was last Saturday, which greatly benefitted our
Art Festival. Outdoor events are absolutely frightening since all the hard work
and money spent can go for naught if the weather does not cooperate. This is
the third year we have managed to have nice weather for most of the festival
day and it makes a huge difference.

And it was a great festival. Beautiful art from some master
artists, especially the potter entries. I am slowly learning about pottery and
how it all comes together, or doesn’t. Amazing that even potters who have been
at it for years can still be surprised by what comes out of the kiln.

And even though it isn’t a music festival, there was great
music. Lutist extraordinaire Phil Rukavina put together a line-up of wonderful
string musicians up on the seminary lawn, Speedy Market hosted a roots/rock
band, while local folk acts populated the Carter Ave stage.

I like the new layout, although it will probably take some
getting used to for long-time patrons. Having the non-profits between the
Bistro and Milton Square alongside the kids’ art spaces seems to make sense,
kind of a community corner.I wonder if
there isn’t something they can come up with for the younger kids now that the
petting zoo has decided not to travel anymore. Maybe a bouncy tent?

Anyway, Ken Chin-Purcell, who heads up the festival for the
Library deserves a lot of credit, along with Martha Russell, library board
chair Ann Yetter, and everyone who was a part of making this event happen. I
heard raves from artists and attendees about the atmosphere, the quality of the
art and experience, the beautiful website, helpful maps & signage. It
really is something in which our neighborhood can take great pride. Kudos and
thanks all around.

And thanks to those neighbors like Luther Sem for providing
their lawn for not only the art festival but for the Ice Cream Social, which
for me is the true start of the weekend. The local 4H always comes up with delicious
pies and our community band kicks the whole thing off with a lively concert.
There’s a great mix of neighbors young and old enjoying each other’s company
and the treats.

Speaking of the Sem, I’ve been talking to folks there about
continuing efforts to stabilize their financial situation. I’m sure most of you
know they have put some of their houses up for sale recently with no doubt more
to come. Their housing needs have changed dramatically as their population has
returned to a younger single or married couple demographic. There are also
fewer sem students nationally and that has an impact.

What should be reassuring for our community is the Sem’s
strong commitment to staying here and their concern about neighborhood impact
in all of their decision-making toward that end.Their dream is still to develop a master plan
that is inclusive of, and open to, the entire community. Obviously, financial
considerations will play a role in dictating how that all comes together, but
in my mind, their property is still the best space available for creating the
kind of housing options we currently lack, especially for the rapidly
increasing senior and empty nester population that finds itself faced with
limited options for staying in the Park. We can’t afford to lose their
expertise, energy and investment in this neighborhood. If we can’t find housing
for them, we will lose them and that will have a tremendously negative effect
on much of what we hold dear. Finding places for neighbors to downsize and age
in place will also open up houses to new neighbors and that is critical to the
viability of many of our institutions, including our schools.

As ideas are considered and implemented, we all need to keep
these bigger perspectives in mind. Nothing is ever seamless and change is not
always perfect. I remain thankful that the people who are trying to figure
these things out care deeply about this neighborhood and are working hard to understand
and identify solutions that serve our common goals.

D12 – Development buzz is also percolating over in the
Creative Enterprise Zone as light rail becomes more of a reality. Real estate
speculation, properties in transition and creative ideas for new and existing spaces
are bouncing around publicly and privately. Our two new breweries are in the
works, a building has been selected to try to house creative enterprises nearby
and the art train idea (buying used rail cars to put on the tracks behind the
Wright building across from the Lyric on Charles for artist studios and a café)
made the final 30 entries for the St. Paul Million Dollar Challenge. The land
south of the Raymond Ave station is certainly a prime spot for some kind of
development. How about a boutique hotel? How about some additional retail? How
about an art gallery and performance space? How about all of that housed in a
unique architectural building wrapped around a central plaza where live events,
farmer’s markets, etc. can be held? The conversation continues…

Listserv – I have to start out this section by talking about
the monkey. I debated starting out the whole blog with this item, but decided
there were larger issues that needed to lead. So, here it is: a neighbor on
Chelmsford reported a monkey in her backyard. Pretty decent sized as well, more
like a cat than a squirrel. Then someone provided a link to a video of someone
walking around Como Lake with a chimp-sized monkey on his back (in shorts and
shirt) wondering if it was that monkey. Apparently, that one was too big.
Further research determined that the Como Zoo was not missing any monkeys, but
if you know someone who is, the monkey is still on the loose as far as I know.
There’s no telling where it will show up next or what it will be wearing, but
you might want to be careful about setting fresh-baked banana bread out on your
sill to cool.

StAPnotes – Rick Beeson, U of M regent and Sunrise Bank
exec, was named to Minnesota Business Magazine’s “Real Power 50 List” of people
who make things happen in the metro area. Congrats, Rick, now use that power to
get the Gophs in the Final Four…I managed to catch local bass hero, Ted Olsen,
at a concert in the Aster over at St. Anthony Main. He is appearing at various
venues this summer with a rotating cast of musicians. He’s doing a number of
Monday nights at the Artist’s Quarter in downtown St. Paul. He is a very
talented player and if you like jazz, go to the AQ website and check him out.
His group Headspace is appearing there June 10, 17 and 24 – no cover. He’s the
real deal…The Raptor Center has some cool summer camp offerings starting soon.
Check out those opportunities and more here http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/ …Northern
Spark’s all night party is coming to St. Paul this Saturday, June 8. There are
all sorts of arts events happening well into Sunday morning around town. Check
it out here.

About Me

Jon Schumacher - Executive Director

Hi, I'm Jon Schumacher, the Executive Director of the Saint Anthony Park Community Foundation. The Foundation's role is to understand our community needs, bring people together to help find solutions and then support their implementation. I am the point person for that and the blog is my way of keeping my board and neighbors up-to-date on all that is happening around District 12.